The Phoenix Pencil Company

Allison King
59 pages1-hour read
Fiction
Novel
Adult
Published in 2025

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Book Brief

Allison King

The Phoenix Pencil Company

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2025
Book Details
Pages

368

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

New York City • 1930s

Theme
Conflict

•

Forgiveness

•

Love
First Publication Year

2025

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

8-12 years

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Super Short Summary

The Phoenix Pencil Company by Allison King explores a person's quest to revive her family's defunct pencil business. Set against a backdrop of personal growth, the narrative delves into themes of legacy, entrepreneurship, and identity, highlighting the challenges faced while balancing familial expectations and innovation.

Contemplative

Melancholic

Inspirational

Nostalgic

Bittersweet

Character List

A brilliant but reclusive computer science student whose journey from digital isolation to human connection forms the central arc of the story.

Monica’s grandmother, whose deep, resilient love and complex past influence Monica’s understanding of family and heritage.

A charismatic Princeton student whose academic project connects her to Monica and catalyzes Monica’s growth and confrontation with her own beliefs.

Yun’s cousin, whose actions during wartime have lasting impacts and provide guidance and closure for Monica’s search.

A mentor figure who becomes an antagonist, representing the ethical challenges in technology and data commodification.

Monica’s grandfather, a retired cryptographer, who provides unwavering support and stability for both Yun and Monica.

Book Details
Pages

368

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

New York City • 1930s

Theme
Conflict

•

Forgiveness

•

Love
First Publication Year

2025

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

8-12 years

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